SHILLONG, Oct 26: The state government will table the draft ordinance to repeal the controversial Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021 in the next cabinet meeting.
“The draft ordinance will be tabled in the next cabinet meeting for deliberations,” Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told journalists here on Wednesday.
The government decided to repeal the Act respecting the concerns expressed by the public, churches and pressure groups. Taxation Minister James PK Sangma had stated earlier that the department was in the process of preparing the draft ordinance.
“We will need to come up with an ordinance to repeal the Act since the Assembly is not in session,” he had said.
According to him, repealing an Act is more complicated than coming up with an Act or ordinance.
“We are preparing the draft ordinance with due diligence because we do not want any legal hassles once it is repealed. We are taking all possible steps to ensure that it is done in an organised and systematic manner,” the minister had said.
He also said that the government had taken the decision in the best interest of the state. He said after the Act was passed, a section of the society expressed concerns on its scope and impact.
The minister had met stakeholders including religious and youth organisations, NGOs, civil society representatives, Dorbar Shnongs and autonomous and local governance bodies.
Stating that the Act was aimed at legalising and regulating gaming, he had stated that the envisaged casinos were meant only for the tourists.
Cancer wing, engineering college by December
The CM inspected the construction work of the Shillong Engineering College and the Cancer Wing at the Shillong Civil Hospital earlier on Wednesday and assessed their physical progress.
“I am happy to see the progress of both projects. I expect the civil work to be completed on time,” Sangma told reporters.
“The two projects will be inaugurated by the first or second week of December,” he said, adding the cancer wing will have to wait for the equipment.
